The Bannatyne Miscellany (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1827. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... A DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION OF KING EDWARD I. INTO SCOTLAND. M.CC.XCVI. Part Ii. Vx INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. [COMMUNICATED BY PATRICK FRASER TYTLER, ESQ.] The following Diary is preferved in two different manuscripts in the Britifh Mufeunij and is now printed for the firft time. Although exceedingly hrief, it relates to an interefting and important period of Scottifli hiftory, and is valuable in fixing the Chronology of Edward's noted Expedition into that country in the year 1295. At this time a party of the Scottifh nobility, incenfed at the iniquitous conduct of this Monarch, and dreading the eafy fubmiffion of Baliol to the Englifh yoke, fecluded the newly-elected King from all power, confined him in a ftrong mountain fortrefs, and placed the management of the government in the hands of twelve of the leading nobles.1 The meafures adopted by thefe guardians were decided and fpirited. They, in the name of Baliol, drew up an inftrument, renouncing all fealty and allegiance to Edward; they difpatched ambafiadors to France, who concluded a treaty of marriage and alliance between the niece of the French King and Baliol's eldeft fon Edward; and they aflembled an army, under the command of Comyn Earl of Buchan, which invaded Cumberland, but having failed in an attempt to ftorm Carlifle, returned without honour.8 Indeed, nothing 1 Annals of Ireland, ad an. 1295. Math. Westm. p. 425. Fordun, a Hearne, p. 969. s Hemingford, vol. i. pp. 87, 88, 89. could be more favourable for Edward than the miferably difunited ftate of Scotland. Three powerful factions divided the country, and hindered that firm political union, without which, againft fuch an enemy, no fucceisful oppofition could be expected. Bruce, and his numerous and powerful followers, remained true to England. The frie...